Iowa City Parks and Recreation department receives $50k grant for a new park

by CBS 2/ Fox 28 Staff

Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department received a grant worth $50,000 from The Walt Disney Company and National Recreation and Parks Association as a part of their "Meet Me at the Park" program.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (CBS2/FOX28) —

A new park is being added for all to enjoy in the Iowa City area. From the help of The Walt Disney Company and the National Recreation and Park Association, Iowa City's Parks and Recreation department received a $50,000 grant that will help create a nature play space for the new Riverfront Crossings Park.

This grant has been awarded to 25 other parks across the nation. The grants ranged from $10,000 to $50,000. This all falls under the NRPA's healthy living program called "Meet Me at the Park" program that aims to get families and children to connect with nature in a fun way.

The Riverfront Crossing park will be 2.5 acres and equipped with not just your typical slides and swings but will adjust portions of the Iowa River Trail for bicyclists. Rolling hills will be added for children to enjoy and get to experience the Ralston Creek.

Iowa City Parks and Recreation Director Juli Seydell Johnson says this will be a unique park for everyone to enjoy.

The land the park is being built on was once a water treatment plant site that was destroyed in the floods of 2008.

Right now, construction is in Phase One. The goal is to get the park open to the public in 2018.